FC Barcelona vs PSG Human-Interest Story

Discover our top picks and disappointments after PSG's victory over FC Barcelona (1-4) on Tuesday at the Stade Olympique de Montjuic in the Champions League quarter-final return leg.

Top Performers

Dembélé, a Real Threat to Barça

Motivated by the Barcelona fans' jeers, Ousmane Dembélé, already a scorer in the first leg, once again troubled his former club. He took advantage of a depleted Catalan team to threaten Marc-André ter Stegen. His goal just before halftime and his overall dynamic display played a crucial role in PSG's win, leading the way to the semi-finals.

Raphinha Sends Shivers Down the Spine

Throughout both legs, Raphinha proved to be a significant danger for FC Barcelona. He capitalized on Lamine Yamal's delivery to score against the run of play early on. Despite the team's loss of control, the Brazilian forward caused chaos in the PSG defense, although he couldn't find the target. His frustration culminated in a late yellow card, but his performance stood out.

Barcola's Dizzying Performance

Bradley Barcola rectified Luis Enrique's mistake from the first leg with a standout performance for PSG. Positioned on the left wing, he troubled Barcelona's right-back before earning a red card for Ronald Araujo. Barcola assisted Dembélé's goal and provided crucial defensive interventions, potentially securing a regular starting spot in the competition.

Disappointments

Araujo's Fatal Mistake

Ronald Araujo's misjudgment led to his pivotal error, resulting in a yellow card and a numerical disadvantage for FC Barcelona. His action also led to strategic changes by Xavi, ultimately challenging Barcelona's performance.

Donnarumma's Shaky Performance

Gianluigi Donnarumma's occasional uncertainty, evident from the first leg, persisted. Despite being saved by the post and some timely interventions, his mistimed challenge on Robert Lewandowski highlighted his vulnerability. Marquinhos also played a crucial role in salvaging the situation in defense.

Barça's Lost Composure

After a composed start and an early lead courtesy of Raphinha, FC Barcelona faltered under pressure. An intentional offensive reduction for defensive solidity failed to contain PSG's aggressive play. Xavi's absence from the touchline might have contributed to the team's loss of control, evidenced by João Cancelo's reckless tackle and disagreements with the referee. The team's self-inflicted mistakes allowed PSG to capitalize on the situation.

This captivating match between FC Barcelona and PSG showcased both brilliant performances and unexpected letdowns, adding further drama to the Champions League encounter.